1992 · 32 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 MOT pass rate and common faults

366 MOT tests in 2024. 76.2% passed first time, compared with 68.8% for all cars the same age.

111Well above average
Passed first time76.2%
Failed or needed repairs23.8%
Typical mileage at test123,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 366 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.5%
  3. Rear fog lamp: not working2.5%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  5. Position lamp: not working2.2%
  6. Headlamp aim: too low1.9%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value1.6%
    11 marked dangerous
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.6%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.4%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
    11 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics19.9%
  2. Brakes11.2%
  3. Suspension8.7%
  4. Body & chassis6.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks3.8%
  7. Tyres3.3%
  8. Steering2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.4%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.4%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened7.1%
  5. Wheel bearings: has excessive play7.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300?

In 2024, 76.2% of 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 cars passed their MOT first time, across 366 tests. The average for all 32-year-old cars was 68.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; rear fog lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 111, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).